Feature: Schedule

Friday, Oct. 8

5:45-6:45 a.m. • Dawn Patrol

7-8 a.m. • Wells Fargo Special Shape Mass Ascension

8-10 a.m. • Key Grab Competition

Want to win a car? A lot of balloonists do. Launch at least one mile away from the field, fly to the field, grab the keys off the top of a pole (and get the right set of keys (there are several poles and only one has the real keys), and you get a shiny new vehicle! Simple, right? Wrong! In getting to the field, you have to successfully navigate among the other 700-plus balloons heading for the same spot, not break any rules and use the winds to get to the pole, at the right altitude, at the right time. And you have to grab the keys with your hands—no hooks or other devices allowed. Despite the difficulties, the Balloon Fiesta has given away a lot of vehicles since the event began in 1978. For spectators, this is one of Balloon Fiesta's most watchable, and spectacular events.